TCA: Syfy: Imagine Fewer Rubber-Faced English-Speaking Aliens
TCA: Complete Coverage of the TV Critics Press Tour
Syfy President David Howe wasted no time addressing the network’s recent rebranding (July 7) from SciFi to Syfy at the Television Critics Association summer press tour Aug. 5 in Pasadena, Calif.
So, what exactly is in a name?
Howe explained that not only is the new Syfy branding future-proof and trademarkable, but it apparently helps facilitate even more “imagination”.
“We took our new tagline Imagine Greater and brought to life a big and bold vision,” he said. “We launched a brand entity that opens us up to a broader range of imagination-based entertainment…Our future growth will be driven by high quality, imaginative shows. ”
One of the network’s upcoming series that will attempt to reach new heights in imagination is the newest Stargate incarnation Stargate Universe.
Here’s a few highlights from creators Robert Cooper and Brad Wright from the TCA panel.
On learning from different TV shows
Cooper: “I think we learned a lot from a number of television shows. We were huge fans of Firefly, which set the bar for modern day science fiction. Big fan of The Shield and Friday Night Lights and their shooting styles and the way they use characters.”
On reaching new audiences
Cooper: “We really wanted to make a show that is broader and more accessible to audiences. We felt we told a lot of Stargate stories and we have to come up with a way to make it fresh. The best way to do that is to tell stories through new character’s eyes.
The great thing about Stargate is that it takes place now. It takes place on Earth. By focusing a little less on the sci fi aspect and more on the characters, we can have audiences that wouldn’t have embraced it, [embrace it.]”
On how this Stargate is different
Wright: “We wanted to step away from rubber-faced English speaking aliens…There’s an ensemble of people that are both hero and villain.”
BB commented:
If Stargate Universe has the type of camara movement like in BSG....then it would be a total waste of my time to watch it. I have all of SG1, the movies, Atlantis....and they were all great....the camara didn't jump all over the place all of the time like a lot of T.V. shows do now. I don't know what nut ball decided that a moving shot of a character talking, or just moving all over the place was cool must be on crack. If Stargate Universe comes off like that I won't even watch the pilot. I'm not too fond of the plot as it is either. The other thing is WHO in the Hell wants to see the black bars on wide screen T.V. , or movies? I know how it works, but come on! They could have made full screen movies with the wide screen format...People always say I want to see the whole picture....you can't in a wide screen....2 black bars....Oh I almost forgot that if you watch it on full screen you don't get the whole picture.....that's total crap. Why not just make the T.V. shows, or movies all the same SOOOOO it will fill the entire screen like it was made to do. The guys out in L.A. must be smoking something!!!!Back to Stargate...Stargate....SG1 turned in to Star Trek. [Warp Speed, Hyper Space] [Energizing, Beaming] What the hell happened to the Stargate? Time travel was done to death. From the 60's to the last Stargate movie. Don't get me wrong, I thought every show was good, but let's face it after season 8 SG1 went way down hill. The bad guys were too powerfull, but for some reason man found a way, or a new super power to win the day. That's cool too, and I know the writers work hard, but damn I could write better than a lot of things for SG1. What I mean by this is this: In Atlantis the Wraith could suck your life, and give it. Almost couldn't die. It's too much power given to both sides way way too fast. Slow the pace down. Work the show more and tell a really great story. Give more detail to the characters story....To me it's kind of like common sense stuff. As a viewer I'm not stupid. I would like to see a writer/s do Stargate Universe a lot slower paced than SG1 or Atlantis, because it is after all Stargate related. Given the plot so far....it has a lot to offer, but it could go down hill really fast if not treated with respect....Stargate Universe will probably be a big flop ****IF**** it tries to follow the sinking show Battle Star Gottaitchtica. I'll be watching the old tube...and the camara will be moving all over the place....then it goes to a commericial then I go barf, because I'm going form a moving camara angle to one that's not...If that's the camara guys idea of being funny....then kiss off you yo yo head! I'm sorry if I sound a little bit on the down side, but I'm just tired of the big wigs in L.A. or wherever any of this work is done, telling me what is cool or not. Try the camara trick while you watch the news and see if it's funny.... I wish Stargate Universe all the best and I will be looking forward to some new commercials for it....but if it's what I've been reading about like trying to be like BSG then to the creators....it's been fun, but not all good things come to an end. I said it the way I see it.
Dauric commented:
Let's see..
First: I can't even watch shows that I like
IsDihara commented:
Changing SciFi to SyFy is utter rubbish - the pinnacle of putressence branding. No amount of marketing spin will make it better.